Bolivia
Where is Bolivia located?
Bolivia is located in the central part of South America, with a diverse territory ranging from the Andes Mountains to the Atacama Desert to the rainforest of the Amazon Basin. The administrative capital, La Paz, rises more than 3,500 m above sea level on the Andean plateau, in front of the snowy peak of Mount Illimani. Nearby, Titicaca, the continent’s largest lake, stretches its tranquil waters beyond Peru’s borders.
What documents are needed to go to Bolivia?
The Documents needed to go to Bolivia are: Passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of departure. No visa is required to enter Bolivia.
Currency: The local currency is the Bolivian, divided into 100 centavos. Paper bills are 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 Bolivianos. The most widely used currency is the U.S. dollar, while in the main localities it is possible to exchange Euros.
Clothing: Light clothes, a sweater for the evening. For hiking in the Sierras somewhat heavier clothing, down jacket and a raincoat for the rains, and comfortable shoes.
Electricity: Varies depending on location between 210/110 Volts. It is necessary to have an American-style flat-plug adapter (the plugs in use are those with two flat plugs).
Time Zone: The difference is 5 hours less than in Italy, 6 hours when daylight saving time is in effect.
Language: The official languages are Spanish, Aymara and Quechua (with various dialects in the various regions). The vast majority of the population speaks Spanish, but about 60 percent also communicate either only in the original Quechua and Aymara languages or in local dialects
Telephone: To call Italy one must dial 0039, followed by the Italian city code and finally the subscriber’s number. Bolivia’s international dialing code is 00591. Cell phones work only if tri-band or satellite.
Cuisine: The cuisine has simple and tasty dishes, mainly beef or pork, accompanied by corn, black beans and potatoes. Some specialties are worth trying: saltenas (mid-morning snack); sopa de quinoa (quinoa soup, a cereal characteristic of the region); charque kan (dried llama meat with a kind of polenta): yuca (cassava); masaco (dried beef with a special kind of banana). A spicy sauce of tomatoes and chili peppers is sometimes used to flavor dishes. Bolivian beer, wine, and chicha (liquor distilled from corn) are excellent, but beware: if you are invited to drink with locals, be aware that spirits are strong and Bolivians are big drinkers.
Vaccinations/Health Provisions: No vaccination is mandatory if you are visiting areas with altitudes above 2,200 mslm (however, it is advisable to find out at least 1 month before departure from your city’s health office). We recommend not drinking tap water and, if possible, always disinfect fruits and vegetables (or peel them carefully) Any infections may cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever or other symptoms. Protect yourself with skin repellents and, when hiking in the highlands and mountains, ascend carefully to allow the body to get used to the altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea. Use sunscreen with a high protection factor to avoid sunburn and sun erythema caused by altitude.
